UNIT 8B
APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE
Track 35
Discuss the following: a. How important is money in people’s lives? b. Why do people say that money can’t buy happiness?
READING
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One day a wealthy man took his son on a trip to the country because he wanted his son to see how poor country people lived. They stayed for one day and one night at the home of a very humble farmer. At the end of the trip, the father asked his son what he thought of the trip. The son replied that it was very nice. Then the father asked his son if he had noticed how poor the farmers were. The son nodded and agreed with his father. The father wanted to know more about what his son had learnt and what kind of conclusions he had come to.
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The son replied, “I learnt that we have one dog in our house, and they have four. Also, we have a fountain in our garden, but they have a stream that has no end. And we have imported lamps in our garden... where they have the stars! And our garden goes to the edge of our property, but theirs stretches to the horizon!” At the end of his son’s reply, the father was speechless. The son then thanked his father for showing him how poor they really were.
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So the story just shows that everything depends on how you see life. Maybe we should learn to appreciate things and be thankful for what we have instead of always asking for more. Remember wealth all depends on your point of view.
Glossary
to appreciate – to value edge – border humble – modest
PRACTICE
122
Discuss the questions. 1. Why did the father take his son on a trip to the country? 2. Why was the man speechless after hearing his son’s answers? 3. What did he probably expect his son to say? 4. What do you think of the advice we get at the end of the story? 5. Why do people often forget to appreciate what they have?
